Safety Considerations for Cosmetic Surgery Abroad - ISAPS

Jun 20 2013 11:33 AM

Safety Considerations

Although it is elective, aesthetic cosmetic surgery is actual surgery that involves risks and possible side effects. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) encourages patients who plan to travel outside their home countries for cosmetic plastic surgery to review these important safety considerations.

Patient Safety Diamond

The Patient Safety Diamond, developed by the 2010 ISAPS President Dr. Foad Nahai, designates four factors that are required for safe aesthetic plastic surgery:

Procedure: appropriate for the patient

Patient: a good candidate for the procedure

Surgeon: qualified and experienced in performing the procedure

Surgicalsetting: safe with trained personnel and emergency procedures in place

By ensuring that all four of these criteria are met, you will optimize your safety and the success of your aesthetic procedure.

ISAPS Insurance

A registered ISAPS surgeon may insure their patients against additional costs in the unlikely event remedial treatment is necessary.

If you see this logo in a member profile, it means that your surgeon participates in the ISAPS Insurance program. This is additional insurance purchased by the surgeon that covers remedial treatment that may be necessary following your surgery. This insurance includes the most common conditions that may require revision surgery. In the unlikely event that your surgeon diagnoses you with one of these conditions, then the surgeon's insurance will cover the costs (up to a limit agreed with our insurers) for the corrective or remedial treatment by your surgeon or an approved ISAPS surgeon in your country of residence if you travelled abroad for your surgery. Beginning on the 29th day after your surgery, the cover continues for 24 months.

Your surgeon has only been accepted for this insurance program because he or she is a member of ISAPS which has strict requirements for membership to ensure that surgeons have the highest standards of training and experience. Visit www.isapsinsurance.com to see your surgeon's entry in the insurance directory.

If you have further questions about ISAPS Insurance, please email stephanie@isapsinsurance.com or telephone the patient helpline: 0044 (0) 207 374 4022

ISAPS Insurance is managed by our partners at Sure Insurance in London and is underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s.

Research Your Procedure

Because you plan to undergo surgery by choice instead of medical necessity, it is important to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure you are considering. Review the possible risks, side effects and required recovery time in our procedures section.

If you want to have multiple procedures performed together, for example abdominoplasty and breast augmentation, make sure the surgery can be completed in a safe amount of time. Typical cosmetic procedures can be completed within one to three hours; to be safe a combination of procedures should take no longer than five to six hours.

Research Your Surgeon

Make sure you choose your surgeon carefully. The simplest way is to choose an ISAPS member. Important surgeon qualifications include:

Training in the procedure you are considering

Experience performing the procedure you are considering

An excellent safety record

Ethical practices

Research the Surgical Setting

Because standards vary among countries, you must carefully research the surgical setting your surgeon will use. If your surgery will be performed in a hospital, make sure that the hospital is certified or accredited. If an outpatient surgery center will be used, find out if it is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities International (AAAASFI) (formerly called Surgery Facilities Resources).

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ISAPS Commitment to Patient Safety

Patients are entitled to safe aesthetic plastic surgery worldwide. Through a rigorous membership screening process, continued education for members, and partnerships with accredited facilities, ISAPS serves as the guardian of patient safety. Learn more

Please do not use the internet as a substitute for medical advice by a qualified plastic surgeon.